Nature Recovery Engagement Officer

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council are looking to recruit a Nature Recovery Engagement Officer to join our teambased in Ipswich, Suffolk. You will join us on a full-time, fixed-term contract or secondment opportunity for 2 years. The successful candidate will earn a competitive salary of £37,280 - £44,075 per annum (pro rata for part time).

This role is open to full time, part time, and job share applications, all of which will be assessed equally.

Join our team

We are looking for a Nature Recovery Engagement Officer to join our Climate and Nature Recovery team.

If you share our values and you are motivated to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

As the council’s Nature Recovery Engagement Officer, you will be leading an exciting new programme of work alongside the Biodiversity Manager, delivering Mid Suffolk council’s biodiversity and nature recovery ambitions.

The role will lead efforts to increase public support for and engagement with biodiversity and nature recovery, bringing to life key aims and actions in the Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan and the Suffolk Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Working with a range of colleagues, partners and stakeholders, this role will include the following activities:

• Initiatives to increase understanding of nature recovery and biodiversity
• Engagement events, campaigns and activities
• Promoting citizen science projects
• Supporting schools and community groups
• Promoting grant schemes and other funding opportunities
• Engagement and consultation for council plans around tree planting and meadow management.

It’s a varied, hands-on role that would suit someone who enjoys working with others to bring biodiversity and nature recovery to life.

Occasional evening or weekend attendance at events may be required.

About you

This is a unique and challenging opportunity for the right candidate to make a real difference and play a key part in creating a sustainable future for Mid Suffolk communities through nature recovery. The post will require you to work creatively and collaboratively, both inside and outside of the council, to help inspire, support, embed and accelerate action on biodiversity and nature recovery. You will be comfortable working with a range of audiences and motivated by creating impact.

This post will require a full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle due to the rural nature of the district.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Educated to degree level, preferably in Ecology or a relevant environmental discipline
• Training and qualifications relevant to engagement and behaviour change are desirable.

Key personal attributes:

• A passion for restoring nature, tackling climate change and in delivering measurable impact
• A confident communicator with the ability to engage with multiple stakeholders
• A collaborative mindset to work across diverse teams and disciplines.

About us

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in.

We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:

• 60 conservation areas
• two National Landscapes
• many picturesque market towns.

It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK (United Kingdom).

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years)
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
• Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs
• Private Health Care Options
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Paid volunteering days
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting)
• Great learning and development opportunities.

Our ways of working

We believe work is what we do, not just where we go.

We work in a hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business need permitting). Our hybrid working arrangements support flexibility and collaboration, helping our teams to thrive.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, providing opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible services for our residents.

Closing date: 11 pm, 22 March 2026.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this Nature Recovery Engagement Officer role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

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